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Make Your Own Floating Terrariums

D.I.Y. Project, DIY, Home Decor, Indoor Plants, Renter Friendly
By Kayleigh Kosmas

I’m moving into my new house this week and it just so happens that some rooms are still missing walls and there are building materials everywhere (yikes). I’ve been trying to add little bits of pretty where I can, so the house feels less like a construction zone and more like home, but without getting in the way of workers—that means nothing on the floor or walls. Fortunately, these floating succulent terrariums are suspended from the ceilings, so they’re renovation friendly!

I’m obsessed with how these little glass bubbles look like they’re hovering in midair! They’re a novel way to display small succulents or cacti, and also a great way to incorporate plant life into parts of your home where you don’t have shelves, tables or windowsills for traditional planters. The key to making succulents last in a closed container without a hole in the bottom is good drainage, and be sure not to overwater!

Supplies:
-glass terrariums (I used these)
-monofilament (fishing line)
-a hot glue gun
-2″ succulents
-all-purpose potting soil
-pumice
-horticultural sand

Cut a length of monofilament and tie it in a knot through the terrarium’s loop. Monofilament is notorious for loosening over time–and the last thing you want is a falling terrarium–so add a couple dots of hot glue to the knot to keep it in place. Make a loop for hanging at the other end of the monofilament and glue to secure it. Trim excess material.

Prepare a well-draining succulent mix by combining 2 parts potting soil, 1 part pumice and 1 part horticultural sand. I mixed a half cup of potting soil and a heaping quarter cup each of pumice and sand, and that was plenty for 3 terrariums. I recommend erring on the side of less soil–the mixture should hold a little moisture but dry pretty quickly when you water.

Add a quarter inch of succulent mix to the bottom of your terrarium. Remove a succulent from its container and remove as much soil as possible, taking care not to damage the roots. Place inside the terrarium and repeat with another succulent if you have room.

Use a spoon to add a little soil at a time until the roots of the succulents are completely covered. Mist the soil, hang and enjoy!

Mist about once a week in the spring and summer, slightly more if it’s very hot or the soil seems completely dried out, and less in the fall and winter. Succulents do best in bright light. I love how these turned out and plan to make some more for other rooms in my house. I think a trailing succulent like string of pearls would look great in a floating terrariums–now I just need to track one down! xo Kayleigh

Credits // Author and Photography: Kayleigh Kosmas. Photos edited with the NEW A Beautiful Mess presets for Lightroom.

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